He said: “I made it abundantly clear to Foday in several meetings with him that he had the potential to become the youngest ever player to play for Birmingham City Football Club’s first team this season, at the age of 15.

“That was how highly I rated him and how highly the club rated him.

“We wanted him to stay but, as a football manager I couldn’t have done any more.

“I was offering him the opportunity that as long as he continued in the way he was with his development and continued to show the qualities that he has, then there would be first team openings for him.

“He’s going to a super club in Fulham because I know them very well having spent seven great years there myself.